This month is the “Repackage Review” where we will take a look at the latest repackaged albums from Girls’ Generation: “The Boys” Japanese album and the “Mr. Taxi” version of the third Korean album. Check out reviews for the original release for the first Japanese album “Girls’ Generation: The First Japan Album” and the third Korean album “The Boys” to see thoughts on the remaining songs not covered in this review. Head over to Soshified’s Lyrics Center for translations of all the songs from “The Boys” and “MR. TAXI”.

“The Boys” repackage album has an interesting concept of a movie set. The girls all have colorful and elegantly designed outfits which make for a really nice photo booklet that gets included with the album. The album comes with either two posters of group shots of the girls or a set of two coasters. The coasters are made of rubber and have a neat design for Girls’ Generation, but aside from that, the only appeal is the fact that they are a unique item. Where else can you get Girls’ Generation coasters? It also comes with a DVD featuring “The Boys” and “BAD GIRL” music videos.

“The Boys” opens up the album, and the Japanese version is somewhat of a mixed bag. There is a lot more English intertwined with the Japanese, with phrases like “Catch your dream” and “Catch your wish”. Perhaps I’m used to the Korean and English versions, but the flow just seems weird in this version. “The Boys” is still a good song though, and Hyoyeon’s rap section is particularly cool in Japanese.

If the first Japanese album had an electronic sound, the repackage remixes double down on it. “THE GREAT ESCAPE” remix is solid. It takes the original song and tweaks it to be more gritty. The remix works compared to the next song, the “BAD GIRL” remix. Unfortunately, “BAD GIRL”, an awesome song from the first Japanese album, gets completely gutted into a dubstep rapping mess. DEV’s rapping is lazy and uninspired with simply awful and nonsensical lyrics. Throw in a little Spanish number counting and it’s a recipe for disaster. The instrumental isn’t entirely terrible, with the best part being a cool loop of the tremolo effect on the girls’ voices at the end of the bridge, but that decent bridge crumbles into a disorganized mess of a chorus. It is by far the worst track on this album, and perhaps any Girls’ Generation album to date.

Thankfully, everything is redeemed with “Time Machine”. This track is pure gold. A haunting beginning leads into an emotional song with moving lyrics beautifully portrayed by the girls’ expressive singing. “Time Machine” is a fantastic ballad that has more of a pop R&B feel than any of their other ballads, borrowing inspiration from Beyonce’s “Halo” and Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown’s “No Air”. Simply put, this song needs to be on your playlist.

The repackage closes out with Steve Aoki’s remix of “MR. TAXI”. This version of “MR. TAXI” is an epic electronic adventure. It builds and builds into a ferocious drop that would make any dubstep fan happy, but the dubstep sound is not overbearing at all, which makes it even better. This is one of the best remixes of a Girls’ Generation song, and a fantastic finale to a great album (with one glaring flaw).

Packaging: 6.5/9Songs: 8/9Overall: 8/9

letaengbutt:

I absolutely love the packaging and design of this repackaged album. The warm studio setting, accompanied by the girls’ outfits, provides a very sophisticated touch to this album. I think that this casual, yet chic, cover of the album is what really caught my eye in the first place, and out of all the Girls’ Generation albums, I feel that this is the one which portrays the girls as mature ladies the most. What I especially love is the fact that the girls aren’t in similar outfits, but are instead in different clothes which brings out their various personalities. Out of the nine, I think that Taeyeon, Jessica and Hyoyeon’s outfits stand out the most. From Taeyeon’s chic hat to Jessica’s edgy heels and Hyoyeon’s daring top, the outfits were definitely the highlight of this album for me.

Moving on to the new songs, out of the five new additions, I have to say that the only song which I really love is “Time Machine”. The other four songs weren’t fantastic, but neither were they lousy.

“Time Machine” is a really touching ballad, which I love as much as “How Great Is Your Love”, and I can never get tired of hearing the song. One of the reasons why I love it so much is because, like “How Great Is Your Love”, you don’t even need to look up the translations of the lyrics to know that it is a song bursting with emotions. The melody doesn’t drag, and it’s the perfect blend of R&B and ballad for me.The Japanese version of “The Boys” is catchy and doesn’t sound particularly awkward like previous songs which were re-done in other languages. However, I would love to question the lyricist’s decision of using the words “DAN DAN”. What exactly do they mean?

As for “THE GREAT ESCAPE (Brian Lee Remix)”, “BAD GIRL Feat. DEV (The Cataracs Remix)” and “MR. TAXI (Steve Aoki Remix)”, I wasn’t very impressed by them. Given the choice, I would still pick the original over the remixes and I feel as though these songs were simply added to make the track list look more impressive. Like what MoonSoshi9 mentioned above, the remixes probably did more damage than good to the album.

All in all, I think that with the exception of the remixes, this album was totally worth the money. The amazing photos that came together with the CD and DVD sent me squealing in excitement (in public, mind you!), and the smooth box which the CDs were snuggled comfortably into make a great addition to my SoShi shelf (or shelves).

Packaging: 8/9Songs: 7/9Overall: 7.5/9

MR. TAXI

MoonSoshi9:

The only new track on the “MR. TAXI” version of “The Boys” is the English version of “The Boys”. It’s still an amazing song, though I do tend to prefer the Korean lyrics. The English lyrics can be confusing. I mean why is Seohyun “watching the phone ring” after she says to “Call an emergency”? Whatever, the vocals and beats are just as good as ever.

For this repackage, Girls’ Generation becomes “Police Generation” in one of the hottest concepts ever. The album comes with postcards for each member with pictures on either side, along with a group poster and a random member’s photocard. The girls look absolutely sexy in the cop uniforms. If you were Mr. Taxi, you wouldn’t mind being pulled over by this police force. The album itself is still solid musically, but this version is all about the visuals.

Packaging: 9/9Songs: 6.5/9Overall:7/9

letaengbutt:

First of all, I would like to point out that what I’m about to write is meant in a completely non-perverted manner. Alright, now that we have that cleared out, there’s just one thing I need to say.

Get this album.

Never mind that there is only one new addition (the English version of “The Boys”) to the track list, and forget the fact that the only thing different in this album from “The Boys” is that “MR. TAXI” is the first track on the CD. The cover photo of the album is more than a reason as to why you should be a proud owner of this album. The girls’ charismatic and sexy, bordering on sultry, photos are the only reasons why I immediately snatched up two copies of the album without hesitation. What stood out to me in particular was Tiffany’s red lipstick, as well as the transition from the Japanese waiting-at-the-taxi-stand “MR. TAXI” to sophisticated Korean “MR. TAXI”. Taeyeon (as usual), caught my eye and I love her charismatic yet teasing stare. Yuri’s pose was particularly striking too, and I thought that the girls all looked really good in their leather-themed outfits.

Another bonus was the postcard-sized individual photos which left me drooling non-stop upon opening the album. I made a terrible mistake of opening the album right before a major exam, but thankfully, the SoShi luck was with me and I didn’t score too badly in the end… The postcards are amazing and you get really clear snapshots of the girls. Also, the random photo card included in the albums is something which I think everyone deserves to be spoilt by.

MoonSoshi9, you made me laugh a lot with ‘Why is SeoHyun watching the phone ring?’. I was deciding on buying Mr. Taxi or The Boys only due to lack of funds and so I went with The Boys. But now, because of your review, I think I’ll have to buy Mr. Taxi too. I really planned on buying both but, alas, I’m broke. And the Japanese repackaged album just looks so precious. I hope there are people selling that on the ssfph gathering. Aish, SNSD you’re really piercing a hole through my pocket- still, you make my smile like a fool after purchasing your albums. SNSD hwaiting!

I’m soooo happy that SME decided to go ahead and release Time Machine even though the demo had been leaked a while back. When they announced there was going to be a brand new track on the repackage, I tweeted “Please let it be Time Machine or Hikki.”

I’m happy they went with Time Machine, been waiting a while to hear the Girls fantastic voices driving the song and they did not disappoint.

I know this article is for the Japanese release but since the Korean reprints are out just wanted to add a couple of side notes for those looking to buy the re:package album. The Korean reprints don’t include the coasters unfortunately. The Japanese limited edition had two versions, one with coasters, one with both posters. The Korean re-release of the limited edition comes with the photobook and only one poster, the farther shot (back cover of the CD). The regular edition comes with the closer shot (front cover).

The problem with the Japanese repackage remixes is that the remixers tried to make stupid club songs and substituted their beats in place of the girls’ vocals. They ruined the flow of the songs, especially the Bad Girl remix with Dev. The beat was not suitable, the girls’ vocals were massacred, and Dev screwed the song with her usual garbage. The Mr. Taxi and Great Escape remixes are whatever. They’re passable but I’d still take the originals over the remixes any day. I don’t know why the left the original Bad Girl and Great Escape off of the disc. I’m pretty sure it still would have fit.

I don’t play any of the remixes in iTunes or on my iPod. They are the only songs I have the “play box” unchecked, which means I really don’t like them.

regarding the japanese repackage…i love time machine! for not speaking the language, i still find the tune and emotion in the vocals very moving. i still prefer the english version of the boys the best. i liked the great escape remix the most. i love the beat to the chorus! i like the mr. taxi remix, in particular, the indian style music that plays in the middle of the song. and finally someone else said how bad dev’s rapping is. i don’t even know who she is. but her lyrics were as deep as a puddle and made no sense. if lady gaga took a crap and molded it into human form it would be kesha. if kesha took a crap and molded it into human form it would be dev. that is what i thought of those lyrics. i like the beat and the remix, but that rapping is just so bad…the korean repackage…the girls sold an album simply because their beautiful. i don’t think i’ll offend anyone saying this album didn’t sell because of the girls musical abilities…LOL…it didn’t, through no fault or decision of the girls. sm just got lazy and wanted to make a quick buck off the girls alluring beauty…and it worked. :-)

I prefer it over Hiro’s Japanese arrangement/version for our Girls. Andy’s version really shows how much more the song could have even been (yes, if that could be possible). It would have been great if we could have seen Tiffany & Taeyeon really working their pipes a little more for the song (like they do in Lady Marmalade, as I think the song really suits their voices) towards the end of the song especially — take note when you listen to Andy’s version at 2:55 onwards. I feel like the Girls sang the song a little too cautious and safe.

But having said that, I do love the song and it does totally fit in w/ the way SNSD has always been singing their slower/ballad type songs. It feels like the Girls. ;-)

I really, really hope they release a Korean & especially English version (as I really like the lyrics).

Wow, thanks for linking that original demo. I remember hearing it once when it was leaked and SM swiftly removed them, plus I stopped myself from listening to it to avoid it ruining the song for me. The ad-libs after 2:55 as you pointed out, were removed in the final version made by HIRO. I can’t imagine why that decision was made because I think the tandem of Taeyeon, Jessica, Tiffany could have soared with that ad-lib!

I disagree with letaengbutt’s assessment that these remixes did damage to this album. If the repackage only had Time Machine and The Boys(Japanese) as the new additions, it would’ve been a big rip off because essentially they’d be selling a single for the price of a full album. The remixes, I thought, were high quality and well constructed, especially if you compare them to the poor remixes on The Boys Maxi Single. It doesn’t take a pair of trained ears to tell the remixes of “Mr.Taxi”, “Bad Girl”, and “The Great Escape” are on a different level from “The Boys” remixes and the producers totally invested more effort in creating them.

I largely agree with MoonSoshi9’s take on the remixes. “The Great Escape” is a solid, albeit conservative, remix, while “Bad Girl” had the most interesting (and most aggressive) dubstep influence, but the sleazy rap ruined it somewhat, I still like it more than most people, and “Mr.Taxi” strikes a great balance down the middle with the right amount of edgeyness added to the original. And of course Time Machine saved the day and really made the album a worthy purchase for me, it made me wonder why they did not include it in the original album. This pop ballad with light rock influences has really clean instrumentation and a very organic sound, like it can be easily recreated with a live band, this allows the raw emotions to float and shine through the melody, and I love the way the serene verses transitions and “explodes” into the chorus.

Overall, not a bad repackage album, considering the 5 new tracks you get. But in terms of value it’s not that great, you’re paying a lot of money for an album where a bulk of the songs you already own. I would’ve liked to see the new tracks released as a separate EP or a maxi single. But I guess the nice packaging and the extras that come with it kind of makes up for it.

As for the Mr.Taxi repackage album, there really is no reason to get it besides the visual stuff, but for SNSD, that’s usually good enough for me.

I wanna get those albums but i dont know where to get the CD version of it T__T can i only get it online? or can i just go to like a bestbuy or something XD but i really like the steve aoki mix of Mr Taxi

I agree that the packaging for both are great but I would’ve bought them regardless.

On the Repackaged 1st Japan album I also agree that the BAD GIRLS remix was a mess. I’ve heard other remixes of it and its a shame that the ‘official’ remix paled in comparison (much like the mixes on the Maxi Single for THE BOYS). I feel the same for the MR. TAXI remix. But I loved THE GREAT ESCAPE remix.
I don’t mind the japanese version of THE BOYS, but the lyrics seem stronger in Korean.
To each their own.

And its unanimous that TIME MACHINE is awesome. No arguments there.

Loved the letaengbutt review of the MR TAXI version of THE BOYS…I agree on most points, except I probably didn’t drool as much…

Great reviews! I dissent on the Bad Girl remix. It’s my favorite of the bunch. That “cool loop of the tremolo effect” really does it for me, as does Dev’s rapping (focusing on the sound, rather than the words). I also dissent on Time Machine. It is an excellent song. The Japanese track laid down by Hiro is great, as is the anonymous English version. Unfortunately, I think the song suffers greatly by being split amongst the nine different singers. I think five of the girls could pull this off as solo artists, but their individual styles do not blend well here. I can’t put my finger on the problem, especially why the chorus is so weak, compared to the amazing work the girls have done with ballad choruses (Complete, Etude, etc.). Don’t get me wrong, I like the song as performed, but I expected more.

“Throw in a little Spanish number counting and it’s a recipe for disaster”, actually, that’s Portuguese, but I still totally agree with, it isn’t a nice remix… I prefer the original songs in fact. But, yes, “Time Machine” saved the new track list, this song is amazing.
I also think that the English version of “The Boys” isn’t the best, they’re kind of confusing indeed. Even that the only new track in “MR. TAXI” is the English version of “The Boys”, it’s totally worth it. The photos/concept are superb!

I haven’t yet gotten either of these though the Repackage The Boys Jap Album is on my list because I like the idea behind it. So I’m glad to see that for the most part it’s not too bad musically.

As for Mr. Taxi Repackage….while I do agree with the visuals being awesome (I bought the poster from an SSFer because the concept it HOT) I cannot see why I should spend money on what is essentially the SAME thing as The Boys album. Yes the images are different and stunning and Sooyoung’s eyes on the postcards do this sexy pleading thing that sends shivers down my spine…but is $16 + shipping a good price to pay for images? I don’t know. And if I DO buy the album, what am I going to do with the CD? Let it sit there in silence, never being played because I have The Boys? -shrug- IDK. I am glad that the visuals of the album make it worth buying for some, but to be honest, I’m not sure if that’s enough for me….

ANYWAY! Thanks for reviewing these! I always love reading reviews ESPECIALLY when I don’t already have the product since it gives me more food for thought before buying,

when another repackaged albums released again always come out with new styles and with new choreography kyaaa,…너무 멋진 sometimes i thought about the repackaged album depleted to our financial but never mind about it because we always love #소녀시대 #SONE #소네 소원 thank you for sharing it .I absolutely love all off the packaging and design of all repackaged album.(감사합니다.)